The Importance of Work-Life Balance in Truck Drivers

Truck Drivers

May 11, 2022

Managing work-life balance in truck drivers is essential for fleet managers— here's why it's so important.

It probably does not come as a surprise that the majority of U.S. employees struggle to find an ideal balance between their work and home lives. Work-life balance is a crucial part of any person employed. However, for truck drivers, it's even more important. A truck driver's life is vastly different from somebody with a typical nine to five job. Managing a work-life balance can be tricky between the long hours, time away from your loved ones, isolation, and everything else that comes with being a trucker.

Learn more about why a balanced work-life among truck drivers is crucial below.

 

 

The Effects of Poor Work-Life Balance in Truck Drivers

 

A truck driver's work schedule can be all over the place. Truck drivers are on a strict schedule full of deadlines which can sometimes require drivers to drive through all hours of the night. This affects their sleep behaviors and results in symptoms such as excessive fatigue. Whether it be because of working overtime, long days or a night shift, reduced sleep during their workweeks is directly connected to increased fatigue.

Having tired drivers on the road is a huge risk to both themselves and other people on the road. Moreover, drivers are at the highest risk of overwork-related cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. This fact is especially concerning since truck drivers are already at a significant disadvantage both physically and mentally due to the nature of their jobs and work schedules.

 

 

Poor Work-Life Balance in Truck Drivers Results in Increased Turnover

 

A bad balance of work and life for truck drivers does not only impact their physical and mental health. If the scale is not properly balanced, drivers are more likely to quit their jobs. An undesirable balance between home and work is more than enough reason for employees to leave and find other work.

A high turnover rate does not allow companies to meet their delivery deadlines, resulting in a damaged reputation that is extremely challenging to repair. Moreover, constantly needing to find and train new drivers is incredibly expensive and time-consuming — something most companies try to avoid losing.

So, as a result, with every driver that needs to be replaced, the business' profit margins diminish even more.

 

 

A Healthy Work-Life Balance in truck Drivers Equals Happy Employees

 

Providing truck drivers with a quality work-life balance increases their levels of contentment and happiness. They are less likely to feel as though they are only living to work. Instead, a balanced life allows them to take on an active role at home and at their jobs. Not only does this directly affect the employees, but it also affects the overall happiness and wellness of their loved ones back home. This results in better, stronger relationships and bonds.

Employers should want their team to be happy, especially because a happy employee means a productive employee. They're more likely to have a positive, can-do, helpful attitude and are more willing to put quality effort and time into their work because they do not experience burnout.

 

 

Ways to Improve Work-Life Balance in Truck Drivers

 

As you can see, the balance between work and home for truck drivers is essential. Thankfully, there are a few things employers can do to promote a better work-life balance in truck drivers. Here's what they can do:

 

  • Be As Flexible with the Schedule As Possible — In this industry, many deliveries must be made by a specific time. But when deliveries offer a bit more flexibility, try to give your drivers the same flexibility to allow them to participate in the events back at home without impacting the work.
  • Make Staying in Touch With Loved Ones Easier — If your drivers are working long hours during the day, give them the ability to stay connected with those back at home. This could be as simple as making sure they are taking regular breaks where they can make a quick phone call or send a text. Or it could mean equipping your trucks with Bluetooth technology so they can chat on the road.
  • Encourage Overall Health and Wellness — Make the health and wellness of your drivers a priority. Make sure they get adequate sleep, eat a healthy diet, and exercise whenever possible.
  • Give Time Off for Important Personal Events — Life is full of important and manful events, and your drivers' lives are no different. Avoid issues by approving time off so your drivers can be present for the important events in their lives.

 

 

Want to Improve Work-Life Balance in Truck Drivers? Get EpicVue!

 

Another great way to improve the work-life balance in truck drivers is by equipping your fleet with EpicVue.

With EpicVue, you can kick back and watch your favorite shows or catch up on the latest games or news on the road. The comforts of home are available regardless of where you are with our satellite TV that lets you stay connected.

Watching TV during those long hauls can help counteract feelings of isolation and loneliness. It is a fantastic way for truck drivers to relax during mandatory rest and recovery time. Moreover, happy and healthy drivers are much more likely to stay on with your fleet, significantly reducing the expensive, tedious cycle of recruitment and retention. EpicVue specializes in outfitting your trucks with premium in-cab satellite televisions.

We offer your team members a tiny piece of home and familiarity. It allows them to unwind while watching TV in the comfort of their own vehicle. This gesture is designed to create appreciation, loyalty, and commitment between drivers and their fleets. The benefits you and your drivers will experience make EpicVue well worth the investment! Whether you own your rig or are a part of a fleet, EpicVue is a great addition to your truck.

With countless premium channels, truck drivers are sure to find something they'd like to watch, regardless of their preferences. Contact our team today to learn more!

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5 Steps to Developing a Truck Fleet Management Strategy

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Quality truck fleet management with a good strategy is a vital element for success in the trucking industry. These systems are necessary for communication, and processes are sure to succeed. There’s no doubt that the best semi-truck fleet teams are those that are effectively and efficiently managed, making a great fleet manager worth their weight in gold — and then some!  But what is it exactly that makes a fleet manager great? It all comes down to a solid fleet management strategy and reliable semi-fleet processes. In fact, these are essential to finding both short- and long-term success. If you’re in charge of a semi-truck fleet and are looking to build a fail-proof truck fleet management strategy, you’re in the right place. We’re here to give you some tried-and-true tips and tricks for developing a solid plan. With a little hard work and the right strategy, you will surely see increased profits, fleet growth, and a happier, healthier, and more productive crew. Keep scrolling to learn more.

5 Things to Consider When Developing Your Truck Fleet Management Strategy

If you want to develop a quality truck fleet management strategy, make sure to consider the following:
  1. Invest in a Fleet Management System — You could be the most experienced and focused manager, but you will still have difficulties staying organized and productive without a quality truck fleet management system in place. Managers of old used to rely on elaborate systems involving paper spreadsheets, filing cabinets, and more to run their business, but there are simpler ways to get the job done. Join the digital age by digitizing your workflow and operations; you’ll find that processes are optimized, and your team’s performance is improved! A good system will allow you to keep track of the best routes, maintenance schedules, driver and vehicle efficiency, automating various tasks (such as routing and scheduling deliveries, billing and invoicing, sending jobs to drivers, etc.) and more so you can maximize the potential of your fleet.
  2. Find Ways to Cut Maintenance Costs — It’s no secret that the economy is in an exciting place right now. Inflation is on the rise, and maintenance costs are not exempt. A solid semi-truck fleet manager must prioritize finding ways to reduce costs. Taking a defensive, preventive approach to maintenance is key. Improving fleet efficiency and ensuring that your rigs and necessary equipment are in tip-top shape and ready to go can help you stay ahead of maintenance issues. Consider utilizing a good fleet management system that can tell you about the vehicles’ engines and other diagnostic features to help extend the life of your trucks. These tools can help you quickly identify any problems with your trucks and avoid issues down the road when they become more serious, thus cutting maintenance costs. Another way to reduce maintenance costs is to base your trucks’ service schedule on accurate engine usage hours instead of an arbitrary calendar. This helps to eliminate unnecessary repairs and potential hours and revenue lost, allowing you to make the most of your fleet while still taking great care of them.
  3. Find Ways to Save Money on Fuel — As a fleet manager, it almost always comes down to budget. And one of the biggest portions (we’re talking between 50% and 65%) of overall operating costs is dedicated to fueling costs. As mentioned above, having a good management system and GPS tracking in place can help you develop an excellent management strategy. You’ll be able to monitor your drivers’ driving performance, habits, and behavior and monitor fuel usage, which directly affects fuel consumption. By tracking and analyzing this information, you’ll be alerted to issues sooner than you may have been otherwise. Moreover, tracking this info will keep you apprised of any safety concerns, such as aggressive driving. Addressing these issues will help you reduce operational costs associated with your fuel budget.
  4. Perfect and Optimize Your Drivers’ Routes — Customers and clients demand quick and on-time deliveries, so taking the perfect and optimal route is absolutely crucial. Your business’ reputation counts on it! Inaccurate arrival time estimates, delays, and inefficient routes will only lead to frustration. Hiccups and issues along the way are bound to happen and are an inevitable part of any industry, including trucking. But, by automating customer notifications and other processes, fleet managers can experience a lot less stress, allowing them to spend time and put their focus elsewhere.
  5. Prioritize Your Drivers’ Health and Wellness — One of the biggest parts of developing a good truck fleet management strategy is prioritizing your team’s health and wellness. Feeling isolated on the road comes with being a truck driver; it’s part of the territory. So fleet managers who promote a healthy work-life balance and positive mental health are typically much more successful.

Here are some ways managers can prioritize employees’ health:

Include EpicVue in Your Truck Fleet Management Strategy

Developing a truck fleet management strategy is essential to the success of your business, and EpicVue is here to help make it happen. EpicVue will outfit your fleet with premium in-cab television so your drivers can enjoy a bit of home on the road and catch up on their favorite shows. Contact EpicVue today to learn more.